Mumbai: In a remarkable feat of faith and unity, St. Alphonsa Parish in Kalewadi, Pimpri-Chinchwad, under the Archdiocese of Kalyan, has set a milestone by completing a handwritten Bible manuscript in four languages within just one and a half hours.
From Genesis to Revelation, the sacred text was transcribed simultaneously in Malayalam, English, Hindi, and Marathi, reflecting the parish’s cultural and linguistic diversity. A total of 560 parishioners, ranging in age from 8 to 86, joined hands in this historic endeavor.
The initiative was spearheaded by the Faith Formation Department of the parish with the intention of rekindling interest in the study of the Scriptures. “The goal was not merely to write the Bible but to experience the living Word of God,” said Fr. Shibu Pulikkal, parish vicar. He described the event as “a profound spiritual moment” where every participant engaged prayerfully and wholeheartedly.
For many believers, the manuscript-writing went beyond being an event it became a moment of grace. “It inspired and deepened the faith journey of each participant,” added Fr. Pulikkal.
The event was meticulously coordinated by Sujith Pappachan and Christina Sujith, with the active involvement of catechists, nuns, handmaids, parish council members, and unit leaders, who worked alongside parishioners to ensure its success.
By completing the manuscript in such record time, St. Alphonsa Parish has not only created a local historical achievement but also offered a powerful testimony of communal faith and devotion that resonates far beyond the boundaries of Maharashtra.